24. Desmond

Chapter 24

I ’ve been on cloud nine for the last few days, but after last night, I feel like I’m damn near untouchable.

I’d wanted to be upset about her disappearing act, but I couldn’t bring myself to be, especially not when she explained it. Hell, I couldn't even really be mad at Alex; it had just been shitty timing.

Besides, how could I be mad at him when he pushed Dad to close the deal faster than he planned? No, Alex might have been part of the mixup, but he fixed it, and now we have all the time in the world to make up for what we lost.

Last night had only been the beginning, but I need to have a conversation with good ol’ Dad about it. I know he’s a little more intimidating with everything, and he probably doesn’t want to scare her, but Kat isn’t stupid, and she’s noticed his absence.

It’s late, probably after midnight now. I’d made sure to wait so that I could get him alone, yet somehow when I walk into his office, he’s still not alone.

I swear this man is going to work himself into an early grave…or maybe not.

Vincent sits in the chair across from him. That doesn’t mean he’s not talking business, but more often than not when those two are together lately, it has something to do with a beautiful little redhead.

Neither of them so much as glances up at me, but I’m used to it, the same way they're more than used to me. I don’t have anything else to do though, and what I need to talk about is on the same topic, so I drop into the chair next to Vince and wait.

“We went over it. If nothing is reported missing, it appears as if it might have just been chance,” Vince says, and my father scowls. I’d heard them say Kat’s name when I walked in, and I guess I assumed the conversation would be lighter. Judging by the deep frown of my father’s brows, I’d been mistaken.

“We both know that’s a load of shit, Vince.” He doesn’t yell, but he doesn’t have to. Growing up, my father never yelled, but that didn’t make him less scary or serious. No, sometimes I wish he would have yelled instead.

“I know that, and you know that. Nobody goes up to the fourteenth floor to trash an apartment for no reason,” Vince agrees, pinching the bridge of his nose. “But unless we find something else, that’s what it looks like. Whoever did this wanted it to look like that, and they did a damn good job.”

Father presses his lips together before turning back to his computer, and I watch his eyes dart across the screen.

“She’s from Maine, born and raised there, just like her parents. She attended a local high school where she dated a Carter Wilmont. The two were high school sweethearts and, from the looks of it, stayed together until college, where they got engaged.”

“What?” I’m out of my chair and slamming my hands on the desk before I can even register moving.

“Sit down and listen, boy,” Vince says with a swift tug on my shirt that lands my ass right back in the chair.

My father might be scary, but Vincent is like a second father to me, and he doesn’t play around. He’s usually pretty laid back around here, but once you know what he can do, well, let’s just say I’d rather stay on his good side. I know he wouldn’t hurt me. He’s my godfather and my father’s oldest friend, but still, I do as he says.

“As I was saying. Kat and Carter got engaged, but there’s no news of a wedding, and from what Vince was able to find, it looks like something happened. At the end of last year, all of Kat’s social media accounts went quiet or were deleted, and she got a new number. Not long after, Carter started being seen with a new girl, but she didn’t last long either, and by now, it’s been a handful of women.”

“End of last year. Christmas?” I ask as the pieces start to align in my head.

I’d wondered that night why she would be alone for the holiday. Why come out to New York alone then, of all times? Most people want to spend Christmas with their family and loved ones.

“He cheated on her…” It’s not a question, not really, but I look to both of them to see their opinions, regardless.

They weren’t there in the club with us that night, but suddenly everything fits. Why she was there alone, the way she was dodging guys’ advances, and her hesitation on giving us any real information about her.

It also explains why she had such a strong reaction to seeing Alex with a little girl, especially when she thought her nanny might be much more than that.

“The little prick didn’t deserve her anyway,” Vince says as if that matters.

He’s right; he didn’t, but that doesn’t stop the rage from filling me at the thought. Kat is amazing. Fuck, she’s so damn perfect for us. How could anyone let her slip through their fingers, but even more than that, how could they hurt her?

“That fucking piece of shit. What the fuck is wrong with him?”

“Enough.” My father stands up, and while he might fool the rest of the world, he isn’t fooling us. No, I can see the way he’s silently seething about this information. He knows as well as I do that Kat doesn’t deserve that.

“His loss is our gain. One I don’t intend to waste.”

I can’t help but smile at his words because, damn right, we won’t waste it. That asshole let the best thing to ever happen to him slip away, but we know better.

“I think you and the boys need to take a trip this weekend and see what it is we're dealing with.”

“You think her ex has something to do with this?” Vince asks, and I swear I can see the wheels turning in their heads.

“I don’t know for sure, but it doesn’t hurt to check. Besides, I can’t imagine he was happy to lose her, even if he did deserve it. They were a mess after one night with her, and obsession has a way of making people crazy.”

I don’t bother denying his words. There’s no point when it's true. Alex and I had searched high and low for her after one fantastic night. There’s no telling what a desperate man might do when pushed.

“We can head out this weekend.” Vince stands, and my father nods, though I get the feeling he wishes it was sooner. We both know this kind of thing takes time to plan, especially with the girls here and the business.

“I’m coming with you.” Neither of them bats an eye when I invite myself, but like I said, they’re both more than used to me. Vince might be scary to anyone who knows what he’s capable of, but I didn’t get my reputation purely because of my tattoos and motorcycle.

I’m known to have a bit of a temper, and I get the feeling Carter’s face might be just what I need to get some anger out.